Round Rock's annual Chalk Walk returns Friday, Saturday after a year off

Dell Diamond will be transformed into an outdoor gallery this weekend for Round Rock's annual Chalk Walk festival, a year after the coronavirus pandemic caused the 2020 festival to be canceled. 

The two-day event presented by Round Rock Arts will take place from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Admission and parking for the festival is free and attendees are encouraged to meet and interact with artists. 

"To see all the families return to see terrific art and listen to some live music is what I'm most excited for," said Scot Wilkinson, the city’s director of arts and culture. "People love art and they like to support that, and it's a good time to get outside in the fall where it's a little bit cooler." 

Photos from 2020: Round Rock neighborhood holds Chalk Walk

The annual festival invites over 80 different artists of all ages to create murals using chalks as their medium, and draws over 60,000 people annually during the first weekend in October.

The artists must design a chalk art mural that fits in a 10-foot by 10-foot space and create the design during official festival times.

"We're certainly proud of the amount of people and artists we attract to come out and create these beautiful murals," Wilkinson said. "It's hard work what these artists do, but it's amazing to see those pictures come to life." 

A whole slew of performances are scheduled on six different stages for this year's festival. Musical performances begin on the Main Stage at 2 p.m. Friday with Jelly Ellington, followed by Joe Pasco at 4 p.m. and headliner Woot Talley + the Box at 8 p.m. 

From 2019: Photos of Round Rock Chalk Walk at Dell Diamond

The music resumes on the Main Stage at 10 a.m. Saturday with Round Rock Ballet Folklorico, with Blue Vibe at noon, Christine Renner at 1 p.m., Alex Winters at 3:00, Chris Cano at 4 p.m. and the Jazz Daddies at 6 p.m.

"Georgetown has Poppy Festival, Austin has ACL and Round Rock has Chalk Walk. The festival has gone from Main Street, downtown Round Rock, Centennial Plaza, and now to the Dell Diamond. ... It's been such a joy to watch the festival grow the last 10 years," Wilkinson said. "We have a great variety of music and performers across both days." 

Activities for children include the Round Round Express' kids train, a face-painting tent, a photo booth, pottery painting, martial arts, a bike zoo and balloon art.

Round Rock residents are also ready to welcome back the Chalk Walk Festival this weekend.

"With so many people attending over two days, it has outgrown every neighborhood it was held," Richard Parson said. "The Dell Diamond is a great location that has adequate space to accommodate people and parking without disrupting the flow of a neighborhood and it gives volunteers, attendees and artists more room to enjoy this fabulous event." 

"My family and I have gone a few times, but this year we plan to go with a bigger group so we can do more out there and see the amazing art," Jodie Ortiz said. 

Those who cannot make it this weekend, Wilkinson said people are welcome to visit on Sunday to view the murals created by the artists.

"Although the festival closes on Saturday night, folks can come out on Sunday where there's not a lot of people and view the murals afterward," Wilkinson said. "This also gives a chance for those to see the amazing artwork if they do not feel comfortable being around a lot of people."  

For more information on this year's two-day festival, visit roundrocktexas.gov/event/chalk-walk.